Howard Twp. seeks millage

Voters to decide whether to pay higher cost of police protection.

Voters to decide whether to pay higher cost of police protection.

April 23, 2006|MELISSA JACKSON Tribune Staff Writer

NILES -- The rising cost of extra law enforcement coverage in Howard Township has prompted officials there to propose a 1.25-mill police protection levy for the August ballot. Currently, Howard Township contracts with Cass County Sheriff's Office for additional police coverage. But because the cost of having two deputies assigned to the township for 80 hours a week went up from about $177,000 last fiscal year to nearly $200,000 for 2006-2007, the board opted to reduce its extra coverage to one deputy for 40 hours a week at a cost of about $98,000. The proposed millage would generate an estimated $193,000 in its first year and would allow the township to increase its additional police protection to the previous level, Supervisor Michael Sutherland said. "We wanted to take it to the voters and see if they want continued police coverage as we've had in the past," he said. Sutherland said Howard Township "would still have the same level of coverage as everyone else has in the county without the contract." At all times, the sheriff's department has at least two other cars out on road patrol. In addition to Howard Township, two other municipalities have contracts with the county for additional protection. The Michigan State Police post in Niles also provides coverage to the township. Sutherland also noted that even when a car is stationed in Howard Township, it still responds to calls in other communities if it is the nearest car. "If a 911 call comes in in Milton Township, he's going to respond," he said. "So we're paying him, plus he's out of our township." Sutherland added that the township is trying to build up its fund balance. The 2006-2007 budget has revenues exceeding expenses by about $85,000. "What we're trying to do is put a little bit of money away so if we have an unforeseen expenditure, we'll be prepared," he said. The millage was approved for the ballot by a 6-1 vote on Tuesday with Trustee George Johnson voting against it. If approved, the levy would show up on the December tax bill and would continue through 2011. Staff writer Melissa Jackson: mjackson@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-7003